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Into the Lion's Den

Author's note: this is a Stargate/ Babylon 5 crossover. It takes place in the seventh season of Stargate and the fourth season of Babylon 5.  Small spoilers for "the fifth race" and "beast of burden" large spoilers for the Babylon 5 episodes "falling toward apotheosis" " the summoning" and " the long night". This is a work in progress and will be updated as it is written.
All Stargate and Babylon 5 characters remain the property of their respective owners and creators. No copyright infringement is intended.

"Chevron six encoded."
Jack O'Neill stood with the rest of his team near the ramp that led to the stargate. His mind was on their upcoming mission. Something about it gave him a very bad feeling. Thinking about it didn't help clarify things in the least. The world they were going to, designated P7X-236 appeared from the MALP data to be earthlike and peaceful. There were no signs of Goa'uld activity; in fact since the address had been one O'Neill had added to the system when he possessed the knowledge of the Ancients it was likely they didn't even know about it. Regardless, something about this seemingly routine mission made the hairs on the back of O'Neill's neck stand on end. He didn't like that one bit.
"Chevron seven locked".
The gate rumbled to life spewing a geyser of bluish plasma, which settled into the shimmering event horizon of the wormhole.
"You have a go sg-1. Godspeed."
"Thank you General"
O'Neill led his team up the ramp. "There is still something weird about this," he thought. He paused for a second then stepped into the wormhole. The rest of sg-1 followed behind him.
General Hammond and the techs in the control room watched as they disappeared into the swirling blue nothingness. The wormhole closed and the gateroom fell silent. All of a sudden a surge of electricity ran through the system. Sparks flew from some of the control panels and computer screens went dark.
"What the hell…" Several moments later the computers came back on line. Technicians were checking the system. "What just happened here?" General Hammond asked. " I'm not sure. It was an energy surge of some kind. I'm running a diagnostic on the system now."
"Good. Keep me informed."
"Yes sir."
One of the technicians turned toward the General "sir?"
"Yes"
"I've lost track of the travelers."

SG-1 tumbled from the gate onto the soft grass of P7X- 236. Colonel O'Neill got to his feet and slowly brushed himself off. The rest of the team did the same. He was relieved to see that none of them had been hurt.
"That seem like an unusually rough trip to you Jack?" Daniel asked, adjusting his pack.
"Yes it did as a matter of fact." He looked at Carter. "Any ideas?"
"I'm as much at a loss as you Colonel." She thought for a moment " the MALP data did indicate that this planet is subject to some strong solar flares. If the wormhole was engaged in the midst of that activity that could account for the rough landing."
"Where is the MALP by the way?" The four members of sg-1 looked around. The small device should have been parked near the gate and DHD. It was nowhere to be seen.
The gate itself was located in what appeared to be a park or sculpture garden of some sort. It looked out on a wide cobbled lane leading to an ornate white and gold palace.
" Uh, Jack I think you may want to see this" Daniel was standing in front of one of the displays in the garden. O'Neill went over to see what had piqued the archaeologist's interest. Teal'C and Carter followed behind.
The "sculpture" they saw was actually the MALP. It had been gilded in gold and mounted on a jeweled base. A plaque with strange symbols was set in front of it.
"What the hell…"
"More like when the hell did they who ever they are, have time to do all that?"
"They couldn't have done that in the few hours that has been here" Daniel knelt down to get a better look at the writing on the plaque.
"What does that say?"
"I haven't got a clue."
O'Neill looked out across the garden, pondering. Daniel was right. How could the inhabitants of this world have turned the MALP from a piece of scientific equipment into an art object in less than a day?
He was jerked from his thoughts by the sound of approaching footsteps. Three men dressed identically in black trousers, gold and black brocaded jackets, and gold helmets climbed the short set of steps that led to the square where SG-1 stood. They were armed with hand weapons unlike anything the Earth team had seen before. One of the men, soldiers O'Neill assumed from their dress and demeanor, began to speak to them in a strange language, his weapon raised. Daniel stepped forward, holding his open hands up in a supplicating gesture. "We mean you no harm. We are peaceful travelers."
"Who are you and how did you come to be in the royal garden?" The soldier responded. This time in English. "As I said, we are peaceful explorers. We came through the stargate."
"Stargate?"
"The stone circle, there." Daniel pointed across the manicured garden. "You mean the portal to the heavens?"
"Yes, yes we came through the portal." The soldier lowered his weapon. "I'm Daniel Jackson and this is Colonel Jack O'Neill, Major Samantha Carter, and Teal'c." Daniel said, indicating the other members of the team. The leader of the soldiers looked at his companions. "Great Maker, the legends must be true."
"Legends?" Daniel asked. "It is said that only the gods use the portal to the heavens. It is said they came with their armies. Men like him." The soldier indicated Teal'c. Seeing the team's surprised looks, he explained "He bears the mark of the gods and carries the weapon of the gods. He is a soldier of the gods, yes?"
"Yes, I mean he was. He is not anymore." O'Neill stepped forward. "Listen fellas, we're not gods, okay? Like Daniel said, we're explorers."
"How can that be? Only gods may use the portal?" One of the soldiers responded. "We must tell the emperor. Come with us." The leader said. " Uh, Jack, I think we should do what they want." O'Neill nodded. "Let's move out people." Then softer so just his teammates could hear"and let's be cautious. I don't trust these guys."
"That would be wise, O'Neill." Teal'c agreed.
They followed the soldiers, royal guard Daniel figured, down the steps and up the wide path to the palace. Daniel looked at the various buildings and sculptures they passed, fascinated. The culture on this world seemed to be a mix of ancient Rome and czarist Russia,a combination SG-1 had never encountered before. He also thought about what the guard had said about "gods" coming through the "portal". From that, and what they had said about Teal'c and the awe with which they looked at him Daniel was almost positive that the Goa'uld had visited this world sometime in the past. He found that possibility slightly surprising since this gate address had not been on the Abydos cartouche. Surprising, yes but not outside the realm of possibility. The Goa'uld had in all likelyhood discovered many other worlds since it was created.
The guards led them up another short flight of stairs and through large, gilded doors. They stepped into a wide hallway with a polished marble floor. Rich tapestries and paintings in gold frames hung on the gilded walls. Elaborate statues and jeweled vases were set in alcoves lining the hall. Light fixtures made of some kind of crystal hung from the golden ceiling. "Someone went a bit overboard with the decorating, wouldn't you say?" O'Neill said softly. A Goa'uld system lord would feel right at home here he thought. They proceeded down the hallway. Several more guards were stationed near a set of gold and silver doors. A man and a woman came out of another door and walked down the hallway inthe opposite direction fromthe group, arm in arm. The ywere dressed in elaborate satin clothes and appeared totally human. Except for their hair. The man's stood up in a three inch crest from ear to ear on his head. The woman had no hair, save for a long ponytail in back. "Fascinating." Daniel said. " I wonder if there is some significance  to those hairstyles."
"What do you mean?" Carter asked. "All these people look to be members of the aristocracy. Maybe the height of the hair is proportional to their place in society, similar to the custom on Earth in the 18th century of aristocrats wearing tall powdered wigs."
"and the bald women?"
"Local custom I guess."